Life with the Herrmanns

Life has been busy lately, go go GO! By the time I get my suitcase unpacked from one weekend’s travels it’s time to repack for the next. While there are times in my life where going is overwhelming, each of the events lately has been so special and I’m soaking up this time of flexibility and reconnecting with family and friends who are basically family.

A while back Hannah mentioned that Grant was going to Barra for an extended weekend and would I like to come hang out for a few days with her and the kiddos. Of course! I’d been wanting to reconnect anyways since it had been a while since we were together for more than a few hours, so Thursday at noon I headed to Princeville for a nice long weekend.

We kept busy all weekend with walks around town and trips here and there. Thursday afternoon the kids played at the park and later we went for ice cream at a shop that is dangerously close to their house–good thing I  don’t live that close to Sprinkles! God knows that Hannah has enough self control to handle it but I’d be broke and obese with delicious ice cream that nearby! Ivory ate all her supper so she got a cup of ice cream. Half of it ended up on the pavement but I think she was full by that point anyway.

Friday morning we got going in good time and hit some garage sales in North Peoria. The kids were superstars as we lugged them in and out of the van and sometimes they’d entertain themselves quietly in their carseats while we quick ran into a sale. Between two of the subdivisions that we visited Hannah treated me to my first PSL. I’ve had a sip of one in the past but pumpkin is a flavor that I’ve acquired in the past two years so I’ve never ordered my own because I just assumed I didn’t care for them. I’m not sure if I’m glad or not that I know how scrumptious they are. It was really official once I posted it on social media.

After hitting most of the garage sales around we stopped at the park to eat sandwiches and let Ivory and Titus play for a while. There were two other girls at the park and it was so interesting to watch the four children interact. I’m sure there was some process of socialization that they were all going through that a child developmental specialist could explain and although I couldn’t follow exactly what was happening I did find it humorous and intriguing. We got back to Herrmanns in the mid-afternoon and Hannah tried giving the kids naps but they didn’t really fall asleep so eventually she decided we’d just move on with our plans. Her in-laws were at a state park for the night so we joined them for a cook-out dinner and some time on the lake. It was a refreshing evening of sweet fellowship and the pleasure of time out doors.

Saturday morning I got to watch the kids while Hannah went to a baby shower. She has a routine that has worked well for them which involved some school activities and chores. I can definitely see the benefit of having that structure and I’m taking notes for my upcoming days as nanny. During their play time we went outside where we colored with chalk and the kids rode tricycles and put on life jackets while they went to the “beach”. We played duck-duck-goose, they shared toys nicely in the sandbox, and they got along so splendidly well. I even got a few pages read in my textbook.

Hannah got back from the shower around noon and neither of us was very hungry so we went on a run before lunch. It was the first time that I can remember running two miles and my heavy breathing and sore legs demonstrated how out of shape I am. Hence the beet-red face in the post-run selfie below. Hannah, on the other hand, pushed two children in a stroller and managed to not die. #goals

Later that evening, Tanya Martin came over and joined us for Mexican at a local restaurant. Ivory and Titus had been eating like birds all weekend until their plate of rice and beans arrived at which point they began devouring the food faster than we could put more on their plate. Following dinner we walked back to Herrmanns and played a game of Ticket to Ride once the munchkins were in bed. Not quite the same as the dozens of games of Settlers that Grant, Hannah, and I played around that same table two years ago, but still a fun evening and I’m glad I had the chance to spend some time with Tanya.

On Sunday we got ready for church in time to walk there. Although I love living in the country, I can see why Hannah really enjoys living in town because there are so many places within walking distance. It had been a while since I was in Princeville for church and it was good to be back and have the chance to catch up with some people that have been in my life for as long as I can remember. The sermons spoke very clearly and sent me away feeling satisfied in the sense that I had been fed. Over all it was a great day of worship.

We hit the road soon after church and headed to Fairbury for a wiener roast with some of Hannah’s extended family. While I felt a little odd showing up at a family event, everybody was so warm and welcoming and it was an enjoyable evening. During my drive home I was just overwhelmed at how incredible God is. I am humbled and blessed by the friendships God has given to me, especially considering the fact that Hannah and I got to know each other in another country during a challenging time in both of our lives. It’s just amazing to see how God continues to carry on His plan and lavish us, His children, with grace. He was faithful in providing a safe and effective trip for the guys in Mexico and the good memories I’m savoring from the weekend are another testimony of His abundant provision.